As luck would have it, I was holidaying only a short drive from some of these vineyards, so, as soon as the cellar doors re-opened from their New Year hangovers, we set off to explore the Overberg and Elgin Valley.
 |
| Cape Vintage Port on tap at Beaumont Wines |
Our first stop was Beaumont Wines in Bot River. This family run farm is headed by viticulturist and winemaker Sebastian Beaumont and has come a long way since my first visit many years ago, where I fell in love with their Ariane, a classic Bordeaux blend. This is the oldest cellar in the Overberg and is a delight for any visitor.
But, for me, their most alluring wine is their celebrated Hope Marguerite Chenin Blanc. Oh my God, if I could be drip fed this heavenly nectar for the rest of my days I would be a VERY happy woman! This is a truly outstanding wine, with hints of dried apricot on the nose and green apple and on the palate, again that luscious apricot, beautifully balanced by being barrelled in oak. This 2010 vintage is a definite five star wine and I can't wait to attack the bottles I bought (R145/bottle). The new generation of South African Chenin Blancs are really doing to South Africa what Malbec is doing to Argentina and what Sauvignon Blanc did to New Zealand. These are sophisticated, finessed wines that are exciting and seductive!
Also worth mentioning are the interesting results from their Mourvedre style wines. I succumbed to the 2009 Shiraz/Mourvedre (R125) - a fragrant, spicy blend and promptly bought 2 more bottles for my collection. I couldnt help notice the large barrel standing just inside the cellar door. Scribbled across a chalk board was an offer selling their Foot Stomped 2005 Cape Vintage Port on tap - a 50/50 blend of Tinta Barocca and Pinotage. Not as refined or elegant as their 2006 vintage, but what the hell - sign me up for a few more cases please!
Next up on our fabulous adventure was Wildekrans Wine Estate, which has been under new ownership since 2007 and has about 56 hectares under vines. I slowly worked my way through their full selection at their tasting room in the farming village of Grabouw.
I wasn't wild about their white wines as a whole, although the 2011 Directors Blend (R65) and 2010 Osiris Barrel Selection Chenin Blanc (R120) were notable. What was exciting were their reds - easy to drink and great value for money. The 2009 Merlot (R64) and 2009 Cabernet Franc/Merlot (£63) were both delightful. The former so easily quaffible with hints of chocolate and vanilla on the nose and lovely ripe blackberries on the palate. Six bottles please. The latter was perhaps even more enjoyable, with the Cabernet Franc backbone. A right plum of a wine and 4 more bottles for my collection! Finally, I bought 2 bottles of their maiden vintage 2009 Wildekrans Osiris Shiraz Barrel Selection (R130), which showed off black cherries and silky dark chocolate. I'm not sure if any of these wines will develop as they mature.... Only time will tell!
 |
| Oak Valley Wines tasting room |
Oak Valley Wines in Elgin is another wonderful destination worth visiting. I don't think I've ever had a poor wine from this cellar and their current selection is no exception, showing yet another stonker of a vintage! They only have 5 wines to taste and buy, but each wine was better than the previous as I moved from the silky-green Sauvignon Blanc, to a beautifully balanced multiple, award-winning Chardonnay, and on to their superb reds... their 2009 Oak Valley Pinot Noir and a super Bordeaux blend - a 2006 Oak Valley Merlot Cabernet Blend (51% Merlot, 34% Cabernet Franc, and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon). This is an expressive blend showing plump plums and red berries. Mocha and even a hint of mint... makes my mouth water just thinking about it. Even though only a 2006 wine, this is still a young wine and so of course I had to buy some bottles to keep for another occasion.
Thankfully I was not in charge of driving, but as the boot of the car was not working, Iwas carefully packed away on the back seat, surrounded by boxes and boxes of my newly acquired wines. Life is good. I am happy.
More info can be found at:
Beaumont Wines www.beaumont.co.za
Wildekrans Wine Estate www.wildekrans.com
Oak Valley Wines www.oakvalleywines.com
Overberg wine information www.overbergwine.com
No comments:
Post a Comment